After a couple of long weeks of conferences with doctors and testing, I flew into Frankfurt on Wednesday and met up with USA Cycling with a solid plan for a new medication and ready to race bikes! 23 hours later, we finally arrived in Albstadt in time for dinner and a good night of sleep. Thursday morning rolled around, carrying dark clouds and rain that set the precedent for the rest of the week. Although I was no stranger to the brutality of Albstadt, its unforgiving nature was quickly reinforced as we hit the first climb, slick with clay mud. My tires quickly filled with mud and by the time we hit the first descent, I was already thoroughly splattered. The downhill was in no better shape with the rain. The mud was like ice and had been pushed aside to reveal slick roots. Any rock on course was tracked with more mud. My first day preriding the course, all of the A-lines except one were closed. I would have to wait. Sitting around the dinner table later that night, riders showed off battle scars from the day. Checking social media revealed even the top world class riders’ apprehension about the conditions. I got on course the day before my race for one more lap which revealed the course in worse shape than the day prior. Nonetheless, I felt dialed on the A-lines and the rest of the course and was excited about the added technical component. Our race start was 9am which meant an early morning. After a good breakfast and warmup, I was feeling readier than ever. I lined up 48th and knew it was going to be a brutal battle. The gun blew, and we were off. Well, actually, the front girls were off, but seconds passed before the sixth row moved. By the first uphill, I was off my bike and running. I came into the first downhill and the girl behind me had lost control and slammed into me hard, knocking the wind out of me. I slid a couple feet before coming to a stop, running back up the hill to my bike. I discovered that my stem had been knocked completely askew, a challenge in dry conditions but almost impossible to counteract in these ones. I managed to ride into the pits, so the mechanics could straighten my stem. However, amidst all the chaos, I couldn’t help but notice that the meetings with doctors seemed to be paying off as my symptoms were mild. I sprinted out and made up as many positions as possible. I came into the second descent feeling good, although skiing my bike almost completely sideways due to lack of traction. However, all too soon, I slammed back into the ground and my stem was crooked all over again. I made it to the pits again, none too soon. Standing in the pits, I watched as the girls I had just passed, passed me back. Back on the bike, I grabbed back as many spots as possible. Up the climb, I had another mechanical that cost me. The rest of my race settled into that rhythm. Mechanicals and the inevitable crashes would force me off my bike, but I would reconcile and make up times both on the descents and climbs. Before I knew it, I was getting pulled. Although I fought with everything I had, it was frustrating to not get much of a race starting so far in back, but that’s bike racing! Looking at the silver linings, this weekend was great experience and having a race with only mild symptoms is a win in itself. This weekend showed me that my form is where it needs to be, and I am starving for another chance this coming weekend.
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